Room Air Trial - Take 2

This morning during rounds the medical team suggested another room air trial. Same time, same place, they said.

So, today Finn breathed room air with decent success for a couple of hours. Kyle and I were cheering him on. Finn was ooooohing and cooing. Kat (the med student) was close by offering observations. Gene, the doctor turned the monitors away from us and silenced the alarms so that we could just watch Finn work, like a regular baby boy without the assistance of a nasal cannula. Becky, the nurse, was so optimistic and so took extra care to remove all of the tape and adhesive that has been holding the cannula in place since Friday.

Kyle and I donned our FinnStrong, LoveWins t-shirts, and Finn was wearing his Superman socks. We cheered "come on Finn, you can do it, but a little power to it . . . breathe!!" We joked. We discussed the Irish pub he's destined to open (Black and Tans all day, everyday for the members of his medical team). Kat offered Finn a fist bump. And then another. And then she said something like "Rock Chalk . . ." to which Finn gave her a solid fist bump. Kyle almost bounced her from the room. Apparently she's from Kansas.

And Finn worked. He worked hard. He looked good. He was happy. We reminded each other "you treat the baby, not the numbers." But, the numbers exist for a very good reason. And, today wasn't Finn's day to transition completely to room air. His oxygen saturation was in the high 80s or low 90s most of the trial. It needs to be in the mid to high 90s.

I suppose we'll have another room air trial tomorrow. Same time, same place? Perhaps we could all summon collective deep breaths, in and out, with full and complete oxygen saturation?

Today's positives:
1. Finn gained weight. He's currently receiving about 75% of his calories by feeding tube, and we hope he receives the additional 25% by mouth. He gained weight, which assumes that he did in fact get the additional 25% during our moderately successful feeding sessions.
2. This morning we eliminated one of the tube feeds, and instead he nursed for 30 minutes. This evening we plan to eliminate another tube feed session, and hope for another successful round of nursing.
3. Katy Perry and I walked another mile around the halls of the Respiratory Care Unit today. ROAR!
4. Kyle and Everett enjoyed dinner at one of our DC favorites -- Ted's Bulletin. Everett ordered Mr. Breakfast and a milkshake. Kyle had a burger and fries. They picked out a heart shaped pop tart for me. Yummy!
5. Finn had lots of alert time today. He loves the members of his medical team, especially his nurses. I mean, loves them. Loves them in a way that would make Great Grandpa Jacke entirely too happy.

#LoveWins
#FinnStrong